A Christchurch bakery faces axing staff next month as an insurance deadline looms.

The February 22 quake anniversary for a lot of Christchurch businesses sees the end of 12 months of business interruption insurance.

Wayne Saunders owns KB's Bakery franchise in Edgeware Village but he's been locked out since June 1 when the building was deemed unsafe.

He says although, his business wasn't interrupted until that day, that's not how his insurance company sees it.

"Their take on it is it's from the time that the event occurred, their version is the event of the earthquake, my version is the event when I was locked out of my shop and I imagine I'm not the only small business owner in the same position."

Mr Saunders says he's kept on four or five full time staff in anticipation of reopening, but fears he will have to let them go, as time is against him.

And the frustration is mounting.

He says after the building was deemed unsafe, someone decided to take the roof off to reduce pressure on the supporting walls, leaving the interior exposed to two snow events and everything else the weather had to throw at it.

"Now all the internal walls are water damaged, all the wiring is going to have to be rewired, and it's not just me, it's the whole block of shops, there was a thriving bar, a TAB, a fruit and vege shop, a video shop."

Mr Saunders says in the meantime, the council and insurers delay over repairs while his insurance business interruption money runs out.

Photo: KB's Bakery fenced off in July last year, just days after snow blanketed the city (Edward Swift)